USDA Rural Home Loan

Helping Homebuyers Afford Homes in Rural or Low-Population Areas

USDA Rural Home Loan Programs

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Housing Program offers low- and moderate-income households the opportunity to own adequate, modest, decent, safe and sanitary dwellings as their primary residence in eligible rural areas. Eligible suburban and rural homebuyers can use it for 100%, no-money down mortgage financing.

Benefits of USDA Rural Home Loans Include

How it Works

USDA Rural Home Loans are provided through approved lenders and are designed for borrowers who purchase homes in communities of less than 20,000 people, or certain other USDA approved areas.

What to Know

10 Ways to use a USDA Rural Home Loan:

1. New or existing residential property to be used as a permanent residence. Closing cost and reasonable/customary expenses associated with the purchase may be included in the transaction
2. A site with a new or existing dwelling
3. Refinancing of eligible loans
4. Special design features or permanently installed equipment to accommodate a household member who has a physical disability
5. Reasonable and customary connection fees, assessments or the pro rata installment cost for utilities such as water, sewer, electricity and gas for which the buyer is liable
6. A pro rata share of real estate taxes that is due and payable on the property at the time of loan closing. Funds can be used for the establishment of escrow accounts for real estate taxes and/or hazard and flood insurance premiums
7. Essential household equipment such as wall-to-wall carpeting, ovens, ranges, refrigerators, washers, dryers, heating and cooling equipment as long as the equipment comes with the dwelling
8. Purchasing and installing measures to promote energy efficiency (e.g. insulation, double-paned glass and solar panels)
9. Installing fixed broadband service to the household as long as the equipment comes with the dwelling
10. Site preparation costs, including grading, foundation plantings, seeding or sod installation, trees, walks, fences and driveways

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet a series of eligibility requirements to be considered for USDA Rural Home Loans. Applicants must:

• Meet income-eligibility (see Income Limits)
• Agree to personally occupy the dwelling as their primary residence
• Be a U.S. Citizen, U.S. non-citizen national or Qualified Alien
• Have the legal capacity to incur the loan obligation
• Have not been suspended or debarred from participation in federal programs
• Demonstrate a willingness to meet credit obligations in a timely manner
• Purchase a property that meets all program criteria

(According to USDA.gov)

Example:

Purchase Price
$250,000

APR
4.112

Down Payment
$0.00

Principle and interest payment
$1,110.22

Total Loan Amount
$255,102*

Monthly Mortgage Insurance
$105.32

Interest Rate
3.25% – 30 year fixed

Total Payment
$1,215.54**

(* inclusive of the USDA Guarantee Fee)
(** property taxes and home insurance would be in addition to this payment)